Flagstone failings

Thanks to the Miami Herald for exposing the progress, or lack of it, for the decade-old Flagstone project. In 2001, Miami voters approved leasing public environmentally sensitive land on Watson Island.

As 2015 approaches, there is still no progress, but the developer’s politicians and lobbyists somehow manage to keep the plan for a marina, hotel and shopping afloat.

During the past 14 years, as the project stays alive by pushing dirt, the surrounding cities of Miami and Miami Beach have moved light years ahead. New condos in downtown Miami have been built. Hundreds of new residents have created a new destination there. The Children’s Museum on Watson Island thrives with a full-time school. There is a new tunnel, a beautiful new art museum and a soon-to-be-completed Museum of Science all within a stone’s throw of the faltering Flagstone project.

The city of Miami Beach has become a major destination, with its share of daily traffic congestion on the MacArthur Causeway — the single entryway to Watson Island.

There are many important municipal elections scheduled this year throughout Miami-Dade County. The impact of those elections on local residents spans across many issues, like personal safety and security, taxation, and neighborhood recareation programs.

Because these issues often affect the quality of residential life and the delivery of municipal public services, residents should take more than passing interest in who their candidates are and what they stand for. It is most important for all of us to become informed and vote.